Hourly Wage for Penetration Testing Director Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Penetration Testing Director?

As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Penetration Testing Director in the United States is $100, which translates to an annual salary of about $208,281.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93 to $105 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $93 10% $86 90% $110 75% $105 $100 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Penetration Testing Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $218,977 $18,248 $4,211 $105
Average $208,281 $17,357 $4,005 $100
25th Percentile $192,733 $16,061 $3,706 $93
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Key Factors That Influence Penetration Testing Director Salaries

A Penetration Testing Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Penetration Testing Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Testing Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Penetration Tester IV (7+ years): $149,949
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $174,282
  • Penetration Testing Manager (10+ years): $139,403
  • Penetration Testing Senior Manager (10+ years): $170,780
  • Penetration Testing Director (10+ years): $208,281
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Penetration Tester IV7+ years$149,949
Penetration Tester V7-10 years$174,282
Penetration Testing Manager10+ years$139,403
Penetration Testing Senior Manager10+ years$170,780
Penetration Testing Director10+ years$208,281
$149,949 Penetrati...
$174,282 Penetrati...
$139,403 Penetrati...
$170,780 Penetrati...
$208,281 Penetrati...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Testing Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $262,705
  • San Francisco: $259,828
  • Oakland: $254,353

Penetration Testing Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Penetration Testing Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Most common benefits for Penetration Testing Director

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Penetration Testing Director

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FAQ about Penetration Testing Director

1. What are the responsibilities of Penetration Testing Director?

Directs a team that performs penetration testing to assess and identify security vulnerabilities of networks, applications, and systems. Oversees vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities. Reviews and analyzes root cause analysis reports and makes recommendations to eliminate risks. Creates and develops methodologies to analyze and define risk, identify weaknesses, and drive the development of countermeasures and security improvements. Develops penetration testing policies and procedures by utilizing the latest tools, techniques, training, and industry best practices. Stays up to date with the latest security threats, techniques, and tools to continuously improve penetration testing methodologies. Has extensive experience using a variety of assessment tools (such as Nmap, BurpSuite, Kali Linux), scripting languages (like Bash, Python, Perl, or Ruby), and cybersecurity frameworks and protocols. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science. May require GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT), and/or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certificate. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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